21 Gifts of AdventSample

The Gift of Yes

This time of year is full of laughter and joy and sorrow and sadness. Much of this joy comes from people who are extraordinarily kind with random acts of kindness or those courteous checkers in the busy lanes. Much of the sadness and sorrow stems from lack of forgiveness in relationships that need mending. You know the one where you need to say “I'm sorry” first? Or maybe in those broken relationships which weren’t your fault? 

Are you willing to trust God without fully knowing what He has in mind? Do you respond to God with a full heart of humility?

Perhaps you have depended on your own strength this year to accomplish something you felt led of God to do... yet there are failures all around you. Let's not mention those long-forgotten promises you made to yourself at the first of the year regarding your health improvements. 

This Advent season, let’s go all in for God. If this sounds foreign to you, then hang on and let me explain. Maybe you have been reading your Bible plans faithfully, maybe you have been praying and attending church, maybe you have been waiting on God, or maybe you have been pretending. Maybe you thought you were trusting God but secretly just playing along. 

Going all in for God means trusting and following His WAYS. You simply can’t just go through the motions! It’s not about following the world’s ways, the cultural trends, or meeting the status quo. It’s wholeheartedly doing what the Bible says. 

All of us need God and must adhere to His holy directions. But what does that look like? Like Jesus. Jesus humbly checked in with His Father often. He set aside his divinity and willingly took orders from God. Of course He knew the plans of God, but even Jesus had to learn obedience through suffering (Hebrews 5:8). Following in obedience is our best heart’s response to God. When we say YES to God and leap wholeheartedly into God’s ways, then we become one with Jesus. Nothing can get in the way— no matter the trends, what people say, or even our own deception. 

Advent reflection: It’s time to say "Y-E-S" to HIM wholeheartedly! We can’t pretend with God. Humble yourself, submit your will, and follow after God earnestly. YES! By doing so, you will open the many gifts of following His ways.